By: Hall S.C.R. No. 1                 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, Our food and water supplies, communications,   banking, hospitals, law enforcement, and countless critical   functions depend on the electric grid, and its protection is vital   to homeland security; and          WHEREAS, In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri provided a harsh   reminder of the importance of the Texas power grid as   weather-related failures left many residents and businesses   without access to heat; in April and June, the Electric Reliability   Council of Texas responded to power generation outages by issuing   requests for citizens to temporarily reduce energy use; and          WHEREAS, Although more work remains to be done in preventing   energy shortages, Texas is fortunate to have its own power grid; the   state is thus capable of hardening its own electric system to ensure   reliable electricity in any environment for residents, businesses,   and state and local government, as well as for U.S. military bases;   for example, during the 87th Regular Session, the Texas Legislature   passed Senate Bill 3, which requires power generation companies in   Texas to prepare their facilities for extreme weather; and          WHEREAS, Protecting the grid from all threats would provide   substantial economic benefits; as the federal government closes   military bases around the country, Texas bases would likely survive   closure because of their enhanced energy security; moreover,   companies considering relocation or expansion would clearly find   the assurance of secure power immensely valuable and look to the   Lone Star State; and          WHEREAS, The protection of the electric grid is essential to   the security and continued prosperity of our state and nation, and   Texas is prepared to do its part to ensure that citizens can rely   completely on the power system that sustains our society; now,   therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas,   3rd Called Session, hereby request the lieutenant governor and the   speaker of the house of representatives to create a joint interim   committee to study the security of the Texas electric grid and its   capacity generation capabilities; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the committee include members of the Electric   Reliability Council of Texas and other relevant stakeholder groups;   and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including   findings and recommendations, to the 88th Texas Legislature in   January 2023; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be   governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees   as the 87th Texas Legislature may adopt.